Taxing time for services
I fully recognise the powers and flexibility the Scottish Government has to adjust income tax north of the border through the devolution settlement.
But I question increases announced by the SNP-Green administration, which could hamper vital Dumfries and Galloway services from recruiting much-needed professionals who instead opt for jobs south the border, lured by lower taxes in the rest of the UK.
Analysts estimate that everyone earning more than £28,850 in Scotland, at 1.5 million the largest part of our working population, will pay more in tax than colleagues elsewhere in the UK.
The tax disadvantage north of the border may impact more, for example, on NHS recruiting in south west Scotland and delay bringing down waiting lists.
Like most local parliamentarians I’m keen to encourage an end to the traditionally lower wage levels in Dumfries and Galloway but that is best achieved by promoting additional economic activity.
That requires successfully attracting additional talent and expertise to local businesses and public services.
If we wish to fill key private and public sector vacancies, being in an area disadvantaged by higher tax than our near neighbour nations, is the last thing we need.
Despite nationalists’ grievance seeking and focus on splitting Scotland from the rest of the UK, they rarely mention significant financial pressures caused by the pandemic and other international events.
The fact is the Scottish Government has been awarded its highest ever funding package from the UK Government.
Now is a time for making wise and prudent spending choices to protect vital services but not for holding Scotland back with some of the highest income tax bands within the UK and in other countries.
Taste of better times ahead
Whilst many of us will enjoy a drink this New Year, I’m pleased to report that a locally produced range of yogurts will also be enthusiastically consumed at dinner tables and elsewhere.
Like many local people I was disappointed to learn more than a year ago that the long-established Rowan Glen plant at Palnure, near Newton Stewart, was being closed by previous owners Dale Farm with the loss of 55 jobs.
To me, it had always seemed appropriate that such quality products should be produced amidst the rich dairy pastures of Dumfries and Galloway.
I was delighted when a locally-based buyout, led by former factory manager Alan Baxter, supported by South of Scotland Enterprise, proved successful with the site now employing nearly 20 people.
Investment in new production equipment, reducing the site’s carbon footprint and increasing the operations done in-house, means that weekly more than 400,000 yogurt pots, featuring a variety of recipes, are being produced.
Through lots of hard work by managing director Alan and the rest of the team at Rowan Glen, they are well placed for further growth in the coming year with regular consignments being delivered across the country.
I was delighted earlier this year to arrange an invitation for Alan and his wife Julie to attend a Business Champions reception at 10 Downing Street when they had the opportunity of meeting the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and spread the word further about the Rowan Glen range.
NHS chief faces difficult choices
I’m glad to have the opportunity through this page to offer my congratulations to Julie White on her appointment from next March as chief executive of NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Her experience in key management jobs and local knowledge should stand her in good stead for the challenges ahead in what is an important and influential task.
I’d also like to wish the current chief executive Jeff Ace all the best for his forthcoming retirement, after 38 years service in the NHS in various roles in different parts of the UK.
With growing demand, financial and recruitment difficulties amongst key issues on her agenda, the chief executive’s job will, without doubt, be challenging.
Here in the west of the region, my firm hope is Julie White will be able to respond quickly to the clear wish for the return of full hospital maternity services at Stranraer and restoring other community hospitals, such as Newton Stewart.
Enterprise support cut blow to region
I was very disappointed to learn of a substantial projected cut by the SNP-Green Scottish Government of more than a quarter in South of Scotland Enterprise’s budget in the next financial year.
The organisation has made a positive contribution in recent years to supporting businesses, encouraging job creation and helping new enterprises in those crucial early stages after being launched.
It seems that South of Scotland Enterprise has slipped down the Scottish Government’s priority list which cannot help but fuel local perceptions that the SNP-led devolved Scottish Government remains increasingly focused in its higher-populated central Scotland heartlands.
In contrast, UK Government direct Levelling Up funding to Scotland in the current financial year has reached £2.92 billion, an increase of 40-per-cent on the previous 12 months.
We are seeing the dividends of listening to the ambitious ideas of local organisations and bringing in the resources to make things happen.
We are focused on continuing to work with local partners and the Scottish Government to deliver the change that the country needs to put Scotland and the UK on the right path for the future.
Looking forward to year ahead
Finally, as we reach another milestone after what has been several challenging years globally, I see more positive trends emerging locally and nationally.
Valuable lessons, I’m sure, will come from the Covid Inquiries in Scotland and UK-wide which should help shape responses to any future global pandemics.
Meanwhile, with inflation falling, the economy is slowly, but surely, turning a corner and growth should improve prospects and help ease cost-of-living challenges in large rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway.
The impact of the war in Ukraine, caused by Russian aggression, and, most recently, the unfolding Middle East conflict have both been far-reaching.
Practical and financial support from the UK for Ukraine has been greatly appreciated, whilst in the Middle East the UK Government’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts remain focused on stemming horrific bloodshed in Israel and Gaza.
Closer to home, I welcome progress, supported by the UK Government, on Stranraer regeneration and other UK grant-funded projects including at Dalbeattie, New Galloway, Whithorn and Dumfries where a ‘game-changing’ £20m Levelling Up package will help revive the town centre.
Equally significant is an £8m UK Government investment to fund an essential study identifying priority A75 realignment options, which is a vital step towards securing a much-needed Springholm and Crocketford by-pass.
I certainly hope the Scottish Government, with devolved responsibility for transport, will further focus on improving the A77 which links Stranraer and the Cairnryan ferry ports with central Scotland.
Region-wide, nearly £14m in UK Government investment in charging infrastructure will co-incide with a fleet of new e-buses taking to local roads whilst various UK Borderlands Growth Deal projects also move ahead.
On a personal note, my envisaged two terms as your MP will reach a conclusion when I step down at the General Election due in the coming months.
It has been an honour and privilege to represent you and I will continue to do so until a successor is chosen at the ballot box. I then look forward to spending more time with my family, including my now two grandchildren.
My best wishes to all readers of the Wigtownshire Free Press and the hard-working newspaper staff for the coming year.